Abstract: A non-rotating optical shield is generally cylindrical in shape and surrounds a rotating optical deflector to reduce airflow and optical distortion, as well as acoustic noise. A beam entrance aperture is provided in an end of the shield allowing an input beam to project onto the rotating deflector along the deflector's spin axis. The entrance aperture is sealed by a window to prevent air from being drawn into the shield by the action of the rotating optical deflector. The deflected beam exits the shield through a beam exit aperture in the side of the shield which is enclosed by an optical element. Clearances between the shield and the rotating deflector are minimal. The shield reduces temperature gradients in the surrounding air thus reducing optical distortions caused by changes in refractive indices of the deflector and surrounding air.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus providing separate fixed object focal planes for transmissive and reflective original documents to be scanned, wherein a scan carriage containing illumination, sensor, and optical elements is moved together to scan an original document and to obtain a digitized representation thereof. The movable scan carriage has an illumination source disposed between the reflective and transmissive object focal planes, with the object focal plane to be used selected by changing the position of one or more optical elements within the scan carriage. The scan carriage is suspended along an axis substantially parallel to a scan line of a scanned original document and passing through a point substantially coincident with the scan line, thereby minimizing variations in lighting conditions due to vibration of the scan carriage.

Abstract: A scanner cover including a rigid top cover component and a lower flexible cover component releasably mounted therebelow. The cover components may be coupled together for use as a single unit, or separately to allow for the placement, adjustment, viewing and/or removal of original(s) without disturbing other original(s) on the scanning surface.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus providing separate fixed focal planes for transmissive and reflective original documents to be scanned, wherein a scan carriage containing illumination, sensor, and optical elements is moved together to scan an original document and to obtain a digitized representation thereof. The movable scan carriage has an illumination source disposed between the reflective and transmissive object focal planes, with the object focal plane to be used selected by changing the position of one or more optical elements within the scan carriage. The resolution of the digitized representation of the scanned original document can be determined by rotation of at least one lens about an axis substantially perpendicular to its optic axis.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus providing separate fixed object focal planes for transmissive and reflective original documents to be scanned, wherein a scan carriage containing illumination, sensor, and optical elements is moved together to scan an original document and to obtain a digitized representation thereof. The movable scan carriage has an illumination source disposed between the reflective and transmissive object focal planes, with the object focal plane to be used selected by changing the position of one or more optical elements within the scan carriage. The scan carriage is suspended along an axis substantially parallel to a scan line of a scanned original document and passing through a point substantially coincident with the scan line, thereby minimizing variations in lighting conditions due to vibration of the scan carriage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing the line time and color channel exposure timing signals of a CCD line sensor with the polarization control signal of an AC-polarized arc-discharge lamp in a scanning system. The scanning system comprises a scanner illumination system, including an AC-polarized arc-discharge lamp, for illuminating a document to be scanned, and a scanner imaging system for scanning the illuminated document in a line-wise manner. The scanning system of the present invention is designed to minimize brightness fluctuations on the document being scanned, improving the quality of the scanned image.